MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH RE-USED EYELASHES

ABSTRACT

The research work titled microorganisms associated with reused eyelashes, was carried out to determine the microorganism laden content of used eyelashes, 50 questionnaires well given to volunteered users from University of Benin environments, saloons at Uselu market, Uwasota, and Ring Road and, used eyelashes was also obtained from them. Standard microbiological techniques were used in determining the bacterial and fungal load. Bacterial isolated were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test. A pure culture was then isolated and the organisms identified. Cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics was then carried out. Ahe same was done for fungi isolates, cultured for 5-7days at 28oC and identified through cultural and morphological characteristics. The bacteria isolated were: Clostridium sp., Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella sp., Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas sp. while the fungi isolates were: Saccharomyces sp. and Fusarium sp. Antibiotics sensitivity test was carried out and the bacterial isolates showed varying resistance to the antibiotics, Clostridium sp. had a resistance index of 6, Bacillus cereus had a resistance index of 3, Bacillus subtilis had a resistance index of 7, Pseudomonas sp. had a resistance index of 6. It is concluded that there is a high level of microbial load on used eyelash which can be due to the time the eyelash is used, the hygiene of the saloon and the environment.so, it is therefore advisable, that eyelash should not be reused in other to avoid microbial contamination.